Penang: Penang and Perak have become the latest states to experience flooding, with the number of people seeking refuge in temporary relief centres in Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis on the rise as of 8 pm today. However, in Terengganu, the situation shows signs of improvement as evacuees begin returning home.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, in Penang, 128 individuals from 30 families in Permatang Berangan, Tasek Gelugor have been relocated to two relief centres established this afternoon. Kampung Desa Puri houses 115 victims from 28 families, while SK Pengkalan Jaya accommodates 13 victims from two families. Mohd Yazi Taib, the Tasek Gelugor Fire and Rescue Station chief, reported that heavy rain and overflowing waters from Sungai Jadak led to flooding in Kampung Desa Puri and Kampung Simpang Tiga Tasek Gelugor.

In Perak, two relief centres have opened in Batang Padang and Perak Tengah, although the number of evacuees is still being assessed. Ahmad Redhauddin Ahmad Shokori, Batang Padang District Disaster Management Committee chairman, noted that five families have been placed at the Kampung Klah Baru Multipurpose Hall in Sungkai as of 8.10 pm. Meanwhile, in Perak Tengah, a centre was established at SK Simpang Tiga in Parit at 7.15 pm, with district officer and Disaster Management Committee chairman Mohd Zaki Abdul Rahman indicating that a report on the affected families is forthcoming.

In Kelantan, the number of flood victims has surged to 7,830 from 2,888 families, up from 2,047 victims earlier in the day. They are currently sheltered in 31 centres across Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Bachok, and Pasir Puteh. The Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s Public Infobanjir reports that the water level of Sungai Melor at Jambatan Melor, Bachok is at 7.59 metres, surpassing the alert level of seven metres.

Kedah has seen an increase in flood victims to 404 from 122 families as of 8 pm, compared to 356 victims from 106 families earlier. The Kedah State Disaster Management Committee confirmed that all victims from the Kulim district are housed in three centres: Masjid Al-Muhtadin Sungai Seluang, Surau KEDA Naga Lilit, and SK Permatang Tok Dik.

Perlis reports 114 flood victims from 35 families relocated to three centres: SK Felda Mata Ayer, SK Lubuk Sireh, and Dewan Semai Bakti Felda Mata Air in Padang Besar. According to the state Social Welfare Department’s (JKM) Info Bencana Banjir, the victims include 40 adult men, 35 adult women, 20 boys, 17 girls, and two infants.

In Terengganu, the number of evacuees has decreased from 531 (146 families) to 359 (106 families) as of 8 pm in the Besut district. Two centres, SK Kuala Besut and SK Pulau Perhentian, have been operational since this morning.